When you're shopping

Buy products with the least amount of packaging

In supermarkets, products from the fruit and vegetable, fish and meat counters often have less wrapping than ready packed items.

Buy products made from recycled materials

Kitchen towels, toilet tissue and bin liners are just some of the recycled products we can choose to buy.Fact: The number inside the recycled logo indicates the percentage of a product that is made from recycled materials. If you see the logo without a percentage figure, the product can be recycled once it has been finished with.

Buy locally produced food and other products

Products that are produced locally have not travelled as far to get to the shop which means that you can save money, food will be fresher and we are supporting local producers.

Walk or cycle to your local shops if you can

Walking and cycling produce no carbon emissions and it is good for your health!

Take your own bags

Since 1 October 2011, there has been a minimum charge of 5p on all single use carrier bags. So re-use carrier bags or use fabric bags which will last much longer.

Make a shopping list

Impulse shopping can add to the mountain of waste we produce.Fact: One estimate suggests over £6 billion worth of clothing lies unworn in drawers across the UK.

Choose energy 'A' rated white goods and appliances

Look out for the label on fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and cookers.Fact: Many appliances have to carry an energy efficiency rating from A* to G. An A* rated fridge could save you around £35 every year in running costs.

Before you throw anything away, why not offer it to a friend or charity shop? Or, if it is broken, check if it can be fixed

Remember a key way to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce, re-use, repair and recycle.

Buy or try and find second hand goods

This keeps the re-use cycle going and makes the most of products and can save you money, e.g. Ebay, freecycling etc. You can search on the internet to find what you need.